Method And System For Administering Devices In Dependence Upon User Metric Vectors

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space, identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector if the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, and executing the action.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation application of and claims priority from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/418, 689, filed on Apr. 17, 2003. BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is data processing, or, more specifically,methods, systems, and products for administering devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional networks contain various devices. A user often uses thevarious devices, or adjusts the particular settings of the devices independence upon the user's current condition. That is, a user's currentcondition often motivates the user to change the settings of devices sothat the devices operate in a manner that more positively benefits theuser's current condition. For example, a user with a headache may bedisturbed by a powerful light. The user may dim the light, or turn thelight off, so that the light no longer disturbs the user. Conventionalnetworked devices, however, require user intervention to individuallyadminister the specific device in response to user condition. It wouldbe advantageous if there were a method of administering devices independence upon user condition that did not require user intervention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include methods for administeringdevices. Exemplary embodiments include creating a user metric vectorcomprising a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metricspace comprising a plurality of metric ranges, and determining whetherthe user metric vector is outside the user metric space. Suchembodiments include identifying an action in dependence upon the usermetric vector, if the user metric vector is outside a user metric space,and executing the action.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, creating a user metric vectorincludes receiving a plurality of disparate user metrics having aplurality of metric values and a plurality of disparate metric IDs, andassociating the plurality of disparate user metrics with the user metricvector. In such embodiments, creating a user metric space includesidentifying a plurality of metric ranges for a plurality of disparatemetrics, and associating the plurality of disparate metric ranges withthe user metric space. In typical embodiments, creating a user metricspace includes editing a metric range. In such embodiments, editing ametric range includes receiving an editing instruction from a user.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, determining whether the usermetric vector is outside a user metric space includes comparing themetric values of the user metric vector with the metric ranges of themetric space. In such embodiments, comparing the metric values of theuser metric vector with the metric ranges of the metric space includesmeasuring a degree to which a value of the user metric is outside ametric range. In typical embodiments, comparing the metric values of theuser metric vector with the metric ranges of the metric space includesidentifying whether a value of the user metric is above a metric rangeor below a metric range.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, determining whether the usermetric vector is outside a user metric space includes calculating ametric vector value. In such embodiments, determining whether the usermetric vector is outside a user metric space includes calculating ametric space value and comparing the metric vector value and the metricspace value. In typical embodiments, identifying an action in dependenceupon the user metric vector includes retrieving an action ID from anaction list. In exemplary embodiments, executing an action includesidentifying a device class representing the device. In such embodiments,executing an action includes identifying a communication class for thedevice.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generallyrepresent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture usefulin implementing methods for administering devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary services gateway.

FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofadministering devices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofexecuting an action.

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofdetermining whether a user metric is outside a predefined metric rangefor the user in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofadministering devices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcreating a user metric space.

FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofdetermining whether a user metric vector is outside a user metric space.

FIG. 9 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofadministering devices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofselecting a user metric space.

FIG. 11 is a class diagram illustrating exemplary data structures usefulin implementing methods for administering devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a class relationship diagram illustrating the relationshipamong exemplary data structures useful in implementing methods foradministering devices in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Introduction

The present invention is described to a large extent in thisspecification in terms of methods for administering devices. Personsskilled in the art, however, will recognize that any computer systemthat includes suitable programming means for operating in accordancewith the disclosed methods also falls well within the scope of thepresent invention.

Suitable programming means include any means for directing a computersystem to execute the steps of the method of the invention, includingfor example, systems comprised of processing units and arithmetic-logiccircuits coupled to computer memory, which systems have the capabilityof storing in computer memory, which computer memory includes electroniccircuits configured to store data and program instructions, programmedsteps of the method of the invention for execution by a processing unit.The invention also may be embodied in a computer program product, suchas a diskette or other recording medium, for use with any suitable dataprocessing system.

Embodiments of a computer program product may be implemented by use ofany recording medium for machine-readable information, includingmagnetic media, optical media, or other suitable media. Persons skilledin the art will immediately recognize that any computer system havingsuitable programming means will be capable of executing the steps of themethod of the invention as embodied in a program product. Personsskilled in the art will recognize immediately that, although most of theexemplary embodiments described in this specification are oriented tosoftware installed and executing on computer hardware, nevertheless,alternative embodiments implemented as firmware or as hardware are wellwithin the scope of the present invention.

Definitions

“802.11” refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE forwireless LAN technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interfacebetween a wireless client and a base station or between two wirelessclients.

“API” is an abbreviation for “application programming interface.” An APIis a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building softwareapplications.

“Bluetooth” refers to an industrial specification for a short-rangeradio technology for RF couplings among client devices and betweenclient devices and resources on a LAN or other network. Anadministrative body called the Bluetooth Special Interest Group testsand qualifies devices as Bluetooth compliant. The Bluetoothspecification consists of a ‘Foundation Core,’ which provides designspecifications, and a ‘Foundation Profile,’ which providesinteroperability guidelines.

“Coupled for data communications” means any form of data communications,wireless, 802.11b, Bluetooth, infrared, radio, internet protocols, HTTPprotocols, email protocols, networked, direct connections, dedicatedphone lines, dial-ups, serial connections with RS-232 (EIA 232) orUniversal Serial Buses, hard-wired parallel port connections, networkconnections according to the Power Line Protocol, and other forms ofconnection for data communications as will occur to those of skill inthe art. Couplings for data communications include networked couplingsfor data communications. Examples of networks useful with variousembodiments of the invention include cable networks, intranets,extranets, internets, local area networks, wide area networks, and othernetwork arrangements as will occur to those of skill in the art. The useof any networked coupling among television channels, cable channels,video providers, telecommunications sources, and the like, is wellwithin the scope of the present invention.

“Driver” means a program that controls a device. A device (printer, diskdrive, keyboard) typically has a driver. A driver acts as translatorbetween the device and software programs that use the device. Eachdevice has a set of specialized commands that its driver knows. Softwareprograms generally access devices by using generic commands. The driver,therefore, accepts generic commands from a program and then translatesthem into specialized commands for the device.

“ESN” is an abbreviation for “Electronic Serial Number.” An ESN is aserial number programmed into a device, such as, for example, acoffeepot, to uniquely identify the device.

“Field”—In this specification, the terms “field” and “data element,”unless the context indicates otherwise, generally are used as synonyms,referring to individual elements of digital data. Aggregates of dataelements are referred to as “records” or “data structures.” Aggregatesof records are referred to as “tables” or “files.” Aggregates of filesor tables are referred to as “databases.” Complex data structures thatinclude member methods, functions, or software routines as well as dataelements are referred to as “classes.” Instances of classes are referredto as “objects” or “class objects.”

“HAVi” stands for ‘Home Audio Video interoperability,’ the name of avendor-neutral audio-video standard particularly for home entertainmentenvironments. HAVi allows different home entertainment and communicationdevices (such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, security systems, and videomonitors) to be networked together and controlled from one primarydevice, such as a services gateway, PC, or television. Using IEEE 1394,the ‘Firewire’ specification, as the interconnection medium, HAVi allowsproducts from different vendors to comply with one another based ondefined connection and communication protocols and APIs. Servicesprovided by HAVi's distributed application system include an addressingscheme and message transfer, lookup for discovering resources, postingand receiving local or remote events, and streaming and controllingisochronous data streams.

“HomePlug” stands for The HomePlug Powerline Alliance. HomePlug is anot-for-profit corporation formed to provide a forum for the creation ofopen specifications for high speed home powerline networking productsand services. The HomePlug specification is designed for delivery ofInternet communications and multimedia to homes through the home poweroutlet using powerline networking standards.

The HomePlug protocol allows HomePlug-enabled devices to communicateacross powerlines using Radio Frequency signals (RF). The HomPlugprotocol uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to splitthe RF signal into multiple smaller sub-signals that are thentransmitted from one HomPlug enabled-device to another HomePlug-enableddevice at different frequencies across the powerline.

“HTTP” stands for ‘HyperText Transport Protocol,’ the standard datacommunications protocol of the World Wide Web.

“ID” abbreviates “identification” as used by convention in thisspecification with nouns represented in data elements, so that ‘user ID’refers to a user identification and ‘userID’ is the name of a dataelement in which is stored a user identification. For a further exampleof the use of ‘ID’: ‘metric ID’ refers to a metric identification and‘metricID’ is the name of a data element in which is stored a metricidentification.

“IEEE 1394” is an external bus standard that supports data transferrates of up to 400 Mbps (400 million bits per second). Apple, whichoriginally developed IEEE 1394, uses the trademarked name “FireWire.”Other companies use other names, such as i.link and Lynx, to describetheir 1394 products.

A single 1394 port can be used to connect up to 63 external devices. Inaddition to high speed, 1394 also supports isochronous datatransfer—delivering data at a guaranteed rate. This makes it ideal fordevices that need to transfer high levels of data in real-time, such asvideo.

“The Internet” is a global network connecting millions of computersutilizing the ‘internet protocol’ or ‘IP’ as the network layer of theirnetworking protocol stacks. The Internet is decentralized by design.Each computer on the Internet is independent. Operators for eachcomputer on the Internet can choose which Internet services to use andwhich local services to make available to the global Internet community.There are a variety of ways to access the Internet. Many onlineservices, such as America Online, offer access to some Internetservices. It is also possible to gain access through a commercialInternet Service Provider (ISP). An “internet” (uncapitalized) is anynetwork using IP as the network layer in its network protocol stack.

“JAR” is an abbreviation for ‘Java archives’ JAR is a file format usedto bundle components used by a Java application. JAR files simplifydownloading applets, because many components (class files, images,sounds, etc.) can be packaged into a single file. JAR also supports datacompression, which further decreases download times. By convention, JARfiles end with a ‘jar’ extension.

“JES” stands for Java Embedded Server. JES is a commercialimplementation of OSGi that provides a framework for development,deployment, and installation of applications and services to embeddeddevices.

“LAN” is an abbreviation for “local area network.” A LAN is a computernetwork that spans a relatively small area. Many LANs are confined to asingle building or group of buildings. However, one LAN can be connectedto other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves. Asystem of LANs connected in this way is called a wide-area network(WAN). The Internet is an example of a WAN.

“LonWorks” is a networking platform available from Echelon®. Lon Worksis currently used in various network applications such as appliancecontrol and lighting control. The LonWorks networking platform uses aprotocol called “LonTalk” that is embedded within a “Neuron Chip”installed within Lon Works-enabled devices.

The Neuron Chip is a system-on-a-chip with multiple processors,read-write and read-only memory (RAM and ROM), and communication and I/Osubsystems. The read-only memory contains an operating system, theLonTalk protocol, and an I/O function library. The chip has non-volatilememory for configuration data and for application programs, which can bedownloaded over a LonWorks network to the device. The Neuron Chipprovides the first 6 layers of the standard OSI network model. That is,the Neuron Chip provides the physical layer, the data link layer, thenetwork layer, the transport layer, the session layer, and thepresentation layer.

The Neuron Chip does not provide the application layer programming.Applications for LonWorks networks are written in a programming languagecalled “Neuron C.” Applications written in Neuron C are typicallyevent-driven, and therefore, result in reduced traffic on the network.

“OSGI” refers to the Open Services Gateway Initiative, an industryorganization developing specifications for services gateways, includingspecifications for delivery of service bundles, software middlewareproviding compliant data communications and services through servicesgateways. The Open Services Gateway specification is a java basedapplication layer framework that gives service providers, networkoperator device makers, and appliance manufacturer's vendor neutralapplication and device layer APIs and functions.

The “OSI Model” or Open System Interconnection, model defines anetworking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Controlis passed from one layer to the next, starting at the application layerin one network station, proceeding to the bottom layer, over the channelto the next network station and back up the hierarchy.

The seventh layer of the OSI model is the application layer. Theapplication layer supports application and end-user processes. Theapplication layer provides application services for file transfers,email, and other network software services.

The sixth layer of the OSI model is the presentation layer. Thepresentation layer provides independence from differences in datarepresentation. The presentation layer translates from application dataformat to network data format, and vice versa. The presentation layer issometimes called the “syntax layer.”

The fifth layer of the OSI model is the session layer. The session layerestablishes, manages, and terminates connections between networkedapplications. The session layer sets up, coordinates, and terminatesconversations, exchanges, and dialogues between networked applications.

The fourth layer of the OSI model is the transport layer. The transportlayer provides transparent transfer of data between networked systems,or hosts. The transport layer is also responsible for flow control andensures complete data transfer.

The third layer of the OSI model is the network layer. The network layercreates logical paths, known as virtual circuits, for transmitting datafrom one network node to another network node. Routing, forwarding,addressing, and packet sequencing are functions of the network layer.

The second layer of the OSI model is the data link layer. The data linklayer decodes data packets into bits and codes bits into data packets.The data link layer provides a transmission protocol and manages dataflow transmission in the in the physical layer.

The data link layer is divided into two sublayers. The first sublayer ofthe data link layer is the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MACsublayer controls access and permission for a computer on a network totransmit data.

The second sublayer of the data link layer is the Logical Link Control(LLC) layer. The LLC layer controls data flow transmission in thephysical layer.

The first layer of the OSI model is the physical layer. The physicallayer transmits the bit stream (electrical impulse, light or radiosignal) through the physical network at the electrical and mechanicallevel. The physical layer provides the hardware for sending andreceiving data.

“SMF” stands for “Service Management Framework™” available from IBM®.SMF is a commercial implementation of OSGi for management of networkdelivered applications on services gateways.

“USB” is an abbreviation for “universal serial bus.” USB is an externalbus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps. A single USBport can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice,modems, and keyboards. USB also supports Plug-and-Play installation andhot plugging.

“WAP” refers to the Wireless Application Protocol, a protocol for usewith handheld wireless devices. Examples of wireless devices useful withWAP include mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, and hand-heldcomputers. WAP supports many wireless networks, and WAP is supported bymany operating systems. Operating systems specifically engineered forhandheld devices include PalmOS, EPOC, Windows CE, FLEXOS, OS/9, andJavaOS. WAP devices that use displays and access the Internet run“microbrowsers.” The microbrowsers use small file sizes that canaccommodate the low memory constraints of handheld devices and thelow-bandwidth constraints of wireless networks.

The “X-10” means the X-10 protocol. Typical X-10 enabled devicescommunicate across AC powerline wiring, such as existing AC wiring in ahome, using an X-10 transmitter and an X-10 receiver. The X-10transmitter and the X-10 receiver use Radio Frequency (RF) signals toexchange digital information. The X-10 transmitter and the X-10 receivercommunicate with short RF bursts which represent digital information. ABinary 1 is represented by a 1 millisecond burst of 120 KHz. and aBinary 0 by the absence of 120 KHz burst followed by the presence of aburst.

In the X-10 protocol, data is sent in data strings called frames. Theframe begins with a 4 bit start code designated as “1110.” Following thestart code, the frame identifies a particular domain, such as house,with a 4 bit “house code,” and identifies a device within that domainwith a 4 bit “devices code.” The frame also includes a command string of8 bits identifying a particular preset command such as “on,” “off,”“dim,” “bright,” “status on,” “status off,” and “status request.”

“XML” stands for ‘eXtensible Markup Language,’ a language that supportuser-defined markup including user-defined elements, tags, andattributes. XML's extensibility contrasts with most web-related markuplanguages, such as HTML, which are not extensible, but which instead usea standard defined set of elements, tags, and attributes. XML'sextensibility makes it a good foundation for defining other languages.WML, the Wireless Markup Language, for example, is a markup languagebased on XML. Modem browsers and other communications clients tend tosupport markup languages other than HTML, including, for example, XML.

Exemplary Architecture

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary architecture useful inimplementing methods of administering devices in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The architecture of FIG. 1includes a domain (118). The term “domain” in this specification means aparticular networked environment. Examples of various domains includehome networks, car networks, office network, and others as will occur tothose of skill in the art.

The domain (118) of FIG. 1 includes a services gateway (106). A servicesgateway (106) is, in some exemplary architectures, an OSGi compatibleservices gateway (106). While exemplary embodiments of methods foradministering devices are described in this specification using OSGi,many other applications and frameworks, will work to implement themethods of administering devices according to the present invention, andare therefore also well within the scope of the present invention.Commercial implementations of OSGi, such as JES and SMF, are also usefulin implementing methods of the present invention.

In the exemplary architecture of FIG. 1, the services gateway (126)includes a services framework (126). The services framework (126) ofFIG. 1 is a hosting platform for running ‘services’. Services are themain building blocks for creating applications in the OSGi. An OSGiservices framework (126) is written in Java and therefore, typicallyruns on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) (150).

The exemplary architecture of FIG. 1 includes a DML (108). “DML” (108)is an abbreviation for Domain Mediation Layer. In many typicalembodiments of the architecture of FIG. 1, the DML (108) is applicationsoftware useful in implementing methods of administering devices inaccordance with the present invention. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the DML is OSGi compliant application software, andis therefore implemented as a service or a group of services packaged asa bundle installed on the services framework (126). In thisspecification, DMLs are often discussed in the context of OSGi. However,the discussion of OSGI is for explanation and not for limitation. Infact, DMLs according to various embodiments of the present invention canbe implemented in any programming language, C, C++, COBOL, FORTRAN,BASIC, and so on, as will occur to those of skill in the art, and DMLsdeveloped in languages other than Java are installed directly upon anoperating system or operating environment rather than a JVM.

In the exemplary architecture of FIG. 1, the services gateway (106) iscoupled for data communications with a metric sensor (116). A metricsensor (116) is a device that reads an indication of a user's condition,and creates a user metric in response to the indication of the user'scondition. An “indication of a user's condition” is a quantifiableaspect of a user's condition and a quantity measuring the aspect. Forexample, a quantifiable aspect of a user's condition is a bodytemperature of 99.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of quantifiable aspectsof a user's condition include body temperature, heart rate, bloodpressure, location, galvanic skin response, and others as will occur tothose of skill in the art.

A “user metric” is a data structure representing an indication of usercondition. In many examples of methods for administering devices inaccordance with the present invention, a user metric is implemented as adata structure, class, or object that includes a userID field, ametricID field, and a metric value field. A typical userID fieldidentifies the user whose indication of condition is represented by themetric. A typical metricID field identifies the quantifiable aspect ofuser condition the metric represents, such as, for example, bloodpressure, heart rate, location, or galvanic skin response. A typicalmetric value field stores a quantity measuring the aspect of a user'scondition.

Wearable and wireless heart rate monitors, galvanic skin responsemonitors, eye response monitors, and breathing monitors useful as oreasily adaptable for use as metric sensors are currently available fromQuibit Systems, Inc. The ‘Polar’ series of heart rate monitors from BodyTrends, Inc., and the magnetoelastic gastric pH sensors from SentecCorporation are other examples of readily available biomedical sensorsuseful as or easily adaptable for use as metric sensors.

In order for a conventional sensor, such as a biomedical sensor, to beuseful as a metric sensor that transmits multiple metric types, in adomain containing multiple users, the sensor advantageously transmitsnot only a value of the each aspect it measures, but also transmits auser ID and a metricID. The user ID is useful because typicalembodiments of the present invention include a DML capable ofadministering devices on behalf of many users simultaneously. ThemetricID is useful because a single user may employ more than one metricsensor at the same time or employ a metric sensor capable of monitoringand transmitting data regarding more than one aspect of user condition.All wireless sensors at least transmit a metric value according to somewireless data communications protocol. To the extent that any particularsensor ‘off-the-shelf’ does not also transmit user ID or metricID, sucha sensor is easily adapted, merely by small modifications of itscontrolling software, also to include in its transmissions user IDs andmetricID.

Although it is expected that most DML will support metric IDs and userIDs, it is possible, under some circumstances within the scope of thepresent invention, to use an off-the-shelf sensor as a metric sensoreven if the sensor does not provide metric ID and user ID in its outputtelemetry. Consider an example in which only a single person inhabits adomain having device controlled or administered by a DML tracking only asingle metric, such as, for example, heart rate. A DML tracking only onemetric for only one user could function without requiring a metric typecode in telemetry received from the metric sensor because, of course,only one type of metric is received. In this example, strictly speaking,it would be possible for an off-the-shelf, Bluetooth-enabled heart ratesensor, such as a ‘Polar’ sensor from Body Trends, to function as ametric sensor. This example is presented only for explanation, becauseas a practical matter it is expected that most DMLs according toembodiments of the present invention will usefully and advantageouslyadminister more than one type of metric (therefore needing a metric IDcode in their telemetry) on behalf of more than one user (thereforeneeding a user ID in their telemetry).

In many typical embodiments of the present invention, the metric sensoris advantageously wirelessly coupled for data communications with theservices gateway (106). In many alternative embodiments, the metricsensor transmits the user metric to the DML through a services gatewayusing various protocols such as Bluetooth, 802.11, HTTP, WAP, or anyother protocol that will occur to those of skill in the art.

In the exemplary architecture of FIG. 1, the domain (118) includes adevice (112) coupled for data communications with the services gateway(106) across a LAN (105). In many typical embodiments of the presentinvention, a domain (118) will include many devices. A home domain, forexample, may include a home network having a television, numerouslights, a refrigerator, a freezer, a coffee pot, a dishwasher, a dryer,a CD player, a DVD player, a personal video recorder, or any othernetworkable device that will occur to those of skill in the art. Forease of explanation, the exemplary architecture of FIG. 1 illustratesonly three devices (112), but the use of any number of devices is wellwithin the scope of the present invention.

To administer the device (112), the DML must have the device class forthe device containing accessor methods that get and set attributes onthe device, and in some cases, a communication class that provides theprotocols needed to communicate with the device. In some examples of thearchitecture of FIG. 1, a DML has pre-installed upon it, device classesand communications classes for many devices that the DML supports.

To the extent the DML does not have a preinstalled device class andcommunications class for a particular device, the DML can obtain thedevice class and communications class in a number of ways. One way theDML obtains the device class and communications class for the device isby reading the device class and the communications class from thedevice. This requires the device have enough installed memory to storethe device class and communications class. The DML can also obtain thedevice class and communications class from devices that do not containthe device class or communications class installed upon them. One waythe DML obtains the device class and communications class is by readinga device ID from the device, searching the Internet for the device classand communications class, and downloading them. Another way the DMLobtains the device class and communications class is by reading anetwork location from the device downloading, from the network location,the device class and communications class. Three ways have beendescribed for obtaining the device classes and communications classesneeded to administer devices in accordance with the present invention.Other methods will also occur to those of skill in the art.

The exemplary architecture of FIG. 1 includes a non-domain entity (102)that is coupled for data communications with the services gateway (106)across a WAN (104). A “non-domain entity” is any computing device ornetwork location coupled for data communications to the domain but notwithin the domain. The phrase “non-domain entity” is broad and itsinclusion in the architecture of FIG. 1 acknowledges that in manytypical embodiments of architecture useful in implementing methods ofadministering devices in accordance with the present invention, a givendomain is coupled for data communications with outside non-domainentities.

An example of a non-domain entity is a web server (outside the domain)of a manufacturer of the device (112) installed within the domain. Themanufacturer may operate a website that makes available for downloaddrivers for the device, updates for the device, or any other informationor software for the device. Drivers, updates, information or softwarefor the device are downloadable to the device across a WAN and throughthe services gateway.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary services gateway (106) usefulin implementing methods of administering devices according to thepresent invention. The services gateway (106) of FIG. 2 is, in someexemplary architectures useful in embodiments of the present invention,an OSGi compatible services gateway (106). While exemplary embodimentsof methods for administering a device are described in thisspecification using OSGi, many other applications and frameworks otherthan OSGi will work to implement methods of administering devicesaccording to the present invention and are therefore well within thescope of the present invention. Commercial implementations of OSGi, suchas JES and SMF, are also useful in implementing methods of the presentinvention. OSGi Stands for ‘Open Services Gateway Initiative.’ The OSGispecification is a Java-based application layer framework that providesvendor neutral application and device layer APIs and functions forvarious devices using arbitrary communication protocols operating innetworks in homes, cars, and other environments. OSGi works with avariety of networking technologies like Ethernet, Bluetooth, the ‘Home,Audio and Video Interoperability standard’ (HAVi), IEEE 1394, UniversalSerial Bus (USB), WAP, X-10, Lon Works, HomePlug and various othernetworking technologies. The OSGi specification is available for freedownload from the OSGi website at www.osgi.org.

The services gateway (130) of FIG. 2 includes a service framework (126).In many example embodiments the service framework is an OSGi serviceframework (126). An OSGi service framework (126) is written in Java andtherefore, typically runs on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). In OSGi, theservice framework (126) of FIG. 1 is a hosting platform for running‘services’ (124). The term ‘service’ or ‘services’ in this disclosure,depending on context, generally refers to OSGi-compliant services.

Services (124) are the main building blocks for creating applicationsaccording to the OSGi. A service (124) is a group of Java classes andinterfaces that implement a certain feature. The OSGi specificationprovides a number of standard services. For example, OSGi provides astandard HTTP service that creates a web server that can respond torequests from HTTP clients.

OSGi also provides a set of standard services called the Device AccessSpecification. The Device Access Specification (“DAS”) provides servicesto identify a device connected to the services gateway, search for adriver for that device, and install the driver for the device.

Services (124) in OSGi are packaged in ‘bundles’ (121) with other files,images, and resources that the services (124) need for execution. Abundle (121) is a Java archive or ‘JAR’ file including one or moreservice implementations (124), an activator class (127), and a manifestfile (125). An activator class (127) is a Java class that the serviceframework (126) uses to start and stop a bundle. A manifest file (125)is a standard text file that describes the contents of the bundle (121).

In the exemplary architecture of FIG. 2 includes a DML (108). In manyembodiments of the present invention, the DML is an OSGi service thatcarries out methods of administering devices. The DML (108) of FIG. 2 ispackaged within a bundle (121) and installed on the services framework(126).

The services framework (126) in OSGi also includes a service registry(128). The service registry (128) includes a service registration (129)including the service's name and an instance of a class that implementsthe service for each bundle (121) installed on the framework (126) andregistered with the service registry (128). A bundle (121) may requestservices that are not included in the bundle (121), but are registeredon the framework service registry (128). To find a service, a bundle(121) performs a query on the framework's service registry (128).

Administering Devices in Dependence Upon User Metrics

FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method foradministering devices. The method of FIG. 3 includes receiving (302) auser metric (206). As mentioned above, a “user metric” comprises datadescribing an indication of user condition. An “indication of a user'scondition” is a quantifiable aspect of a user's condition and a quantitymeasuring the aspect. Examples of quantifiable aspects of a user'scondition include body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure,location, galvanic skin response, or any other aspect of user conditionas will occur to those of skill in the art.

In typical embodiments of the present invention, a user metric isimplemented as a user metric data structure or record (206), such as theexemplary user metric (206) of FIG. 3. The user metric of FIG. 3includes a userID field (405) identifying the user whose indication ofcondition is represented by the metric. The user metric (206) of FIG. 3also includes a metric ID field (407) identifying the aspect of usercondition the metric represents, such as, for example, blood pressure,heart rate, location, or galvanic skin response. The user metric (204)also includes a value field (409) containing the value of the aspect ofthe user's condition that the metric represents. An example of a valueof a metric is a body temperature of 100° Fahrenheit.

In many typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 3, receiving (302) auser metric includes receiving a user metric from a metric sensor (406).In some examples of the method of FIG. 3, the metric sensor (300) readsan indication of a user's condition, creates a user metric in dependenceupon the indication of a user's condition, and transmits the user metricto a DML. In many typical embodiments, the metric sensor transmits theuser metric to the DML in a predefined data structure, such as themetric (206) of FIG. 3, to the DML using, for example, protocols such asBluetooth, 802.11, HTTP, WAP, or any other protocol that will occur tothose of skill in the art.

In the method of FIG. 3, receiving (302) a user metric includesreceiving a user metric into metric cache memory (305), that is,received by a DML and then stored in cache. In many typical embodimentsof the method of FIG. 3, metric cache memory (305) is cache memoryavailable to a DML to facilitate carrying out steps of administeringdevices in accordance with the present invention.

The method of FIG. 3 includes determining (306) whether a value of theuser metric is outside (309) of a predefined metric range. A predefinedmetric range includes a predetermined range of values for a given metricID for a particular user. In many typical embodiments of the method ofFIG. 3, the predefined metric range is designed as a range of typical ornormal metrics values for a user. One example of a predefined metricrange is a range of metric values representing a resting heart rate of65-85 beats per minute.

In many typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 3, a predefined metricrange for a user is implemented as a data structure or record such asthe metric range record (210) of FIG. 3. The metric range of FIG. 3includes a metric ID field (462) identifying the kind of user metrics.The metric range of FIG. 3 includes a user ID field (464) identifyingthe user for whom the metric range represents a range of metric values.The metric range of FIG. 3, for example, includes a Max field (468)representing the maximum metric value of the metric range and a Minfield (470) representing the minimum metric value of the metric range.That is, in typical embodiments, it is a maximum and minimum metricvalue in a range that defines a value range for the metric.

In many typical embodiments, determining (306) that the value of theuser metric (206) is outside (309) of a predefined metric range includescomparing the metric value of a user metric with the maximum and minimumvalues from a metric range for that metric and for the same user. Inmany examples of the method of FIG. 3, determining that a user metric isoutside a predefined metric range also includes determining that themetric value (409) of the user metric (206) is either greater than themaximum value (468) of the metric range (210) or below the minimum value(470) of the range in the metric range (210). A user metric of metric IDidentifying the metric as ‘heart rate’ having, for example, a metricvalue of 100 beats per minute is outside the exemplary metric range forresting heart rate of 65-85 beats per minute.

If the value of the user metric is outside of the metric range, themethod of FIG. 3 includes identifying (310) an action in dependence uponthe user metric. An action includes one or more computer programs,subroutines, or member methods that when executed, control one or moredevices. Actions are typically implemented as object oriented classesand manipulated as objects or references to objects. In fact, in thisspecification, unless context indicates otherwise, the terms ‘action,’‘action object,’ and ‘reference to an action object’ are treated more orless as synonyms. In many embodiments of the method of FIG. 3, an actionobject calls member methods in a device class to affect currentattributes of the physical device. In many embodiments of the method ofFIG. 3, action classes or action objects are deployed in OSGi bundles toa DML on a services gateway.

In the method of FIG. 3, identifying (310) an action includes retrieving(365) an action ID (315) from an action list (313) organized by user IDand metric ID. In the method of FIG. 3, retrieving an action ID from anaction list includes retrieving from a list the identification of theaction (the ‘action ID’) to be executed when a value of a metric of aparticular metric ID and for a particular user is outside of the user'spredetermined metric range. The action list can be implemented, forexample, as a Java list container, as a table in random access memory,as a SQL database table with storage on a hard drive or CD ROM, and inother ways as will occur to those of skill in the art.

As mentioned above, the actions themselves comprise software, and so canbe implemented as concrete action classes embodied, for example, in aJava package imported into the DML at compile time and therefore alwaysavailable during DML run time. Executing (314) an action (312) thereforeis often carried out in such embodiments by use of a switch( ) statementin the DML. Such a switch( ) statement can be operated in dependenceupon the action ID and implemented, for example, as illustrated by thefollowing segment of pseudocode: switch (actionID) { Case 1:actionNumber1.take_action( ); break; Case 2:actionNumber2.take_action( ); break; Case 3:actionNumber3.take_action( ); break; Case 4:actionNumber4.take_action( ); break; Case 5:actionNumber5.take_action( ); break; // and so on } // end switch( )

The exemplary switch statement selects a particular device controllingobject for execution depending on the action ID. The device controllingobjects administered by the switch( ) in this example are concreteaction classes named actionNumber1, actionNumber2, and so on, eachhaving an executable member method named ‘take_action( ),’ which carriesout the actual work implemented by each action class.

Executing (314) an action (312) also is often carried out in suchembodiments by use of a hash table in the DML. Such a hash table canstore references to action object keyed by action ID, as shown in thefollowing pseudocode example. This example begins by an action service'screating a hashtable of actions, references to objects of concreteaction classes associated with a particular metric ID, using action IDsas keys. In many embodiments it is an action service that creates such ahashtable, fills it with references to action objects pertinent to aparticular metric ID, and returns a reference to the hashtable to acalling metric object.

-   -   Hashtable ActionHashTable=new Hashtable( );    -   ActionHashTable.put(“1”, new Action1( ));    -   ActionHashTable.put(“2”, new Action2( ));    -   ActionHashTable.put(“3”, new Action3( ));

Executing a particular action then can be carried out according to thefollowing pseudocode:

-   -   Action anAction=(Action) ActionHashTable.get(“2”);    -   if (anAction!=null) anAction.take_action( );

Many examples in this specification are described as implemented withlists, often with lists of actions, for example, returned with areference to a list from an action service, for example. Lists oftenfunction in fashion similar to hashtables. Executing a particularaction, for example, can be carried out according to the followingpseudocode:

-   -   List ActionList=new List( );    -   ActionList.add(1, new Action1( ));    -   ActionList.add(2, new Action2( ));    -   ActionList.add(3, new Action3( ));

Executing a particular action then can be carried out according to thefollowing pseudocode:

-   -   Action anAction=(Action) ActionList.get(2);

if (anAction!=null) anAction.take_action( );

The three examples just above use switch statements, hash tables, andlist objects to explain executing actions according to embodiments ofthe present invention. The use of switch statements, hash tables, andlist objects in these examples are for explanation, not for limitation.In fact, there are many ways of executing actions according toembodiments of the present invention, as will occur to those of skill inthe art, and all such ways are well within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 sets forth a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodof executing an action. In the method of FIG. 3, executing an actionincludes identifying (380) a device class (214) representing a physicaldevice (316) administered by the action. Typical device classes includemember methods for administering the device. Typical member methods foradministering the device include member methods for getting and settingvalues of device attributes in physical devices. In the case of a lampsupporting multiple settings for light intensity, for example, a membermethod get( ) in a device class can gets from the lamp a value for lightintensity, and a member method set( ) in a device class sets the lightintensity for the lamp.

In the method of FIG. 4, executing an action includes identifying (384)a communication class (215) for the physical device (316). Tocommunicate the member methods of the device class to the physicaldevice, a communications class implements a protocol for communicatingwith a physical device. Typical communications classes include membermethods that construct, transmit, and receive data communicationsmessages in accordance with the protocol implemented by a communicationclass. The member methods in a communication class transmit and receivedata communications messages to and from a physical device. Acommunications class advantageously separates the protocols used tocommunicate with the physical device from the actions to be effected onthe device, so that a device class interface comprising get( ) and set() methods, for example, can usefully communicate with a physical deviceby use of any data communications protocol with no need to reprogram thedevice class and no need to provide one device class for eachcombination of physical device and protocol.

For further explanation, consider the following brief use case. A user'smetric sensor reads the user's heart rate at 100 beats per minute, andcreates a metric for the user having a user ID identifying the user, ametric ID identifying the metric as “heart rate,” and a metric value of100. The metric sensor transmits the user metric to the DML through aservices gateway. The DML receives the user metric and compares the usermetric with the user' metric range for resting heart rates having arange of 65-85. The DML determines that the user metric is outside ofthe predefined metric range. The DML uses the user ID and the metric IDto retrieve from a list an action ID for a predefined action to beexecuted in response to the determination that the value of the user'sheart rate metric value is outside the user's metric range for heartrate. The DML finds a device controlling-action ID identifying an actionobject having a class name of ‘someAction,’ for example, and also havingan interface member method known to the DML, such as the take_action ( )method described above in the switch( ) statement.

In this example, the DML effects the action so identified by callingsomeAction.take_action( ). The take_action( ) method in this example isprogrammed to call a device service for a list of references to deviceobjects representing physical devices whose attributes are to beaffected by the action. The device service is programmed with a switch() statement to create in dependence upon the action ID a list ofreferences to device objects and return the device list to the callingaction object, or rather, to the calling take_action( ) method in theaction object.

In creating the device list, the device service is programmed toinstantiate each device having a reference entered in the list, passingas a constructor parameter a reference to a communications service. Eachdevice so instantiated has a constructor programmed to call aparameterized factory method in the communications service, passing as aparameter an identification of the calling device object. Thecommunications service then instantiates and returns to the device areference to a communication object for the communications protocolneeded for that device object to communicate with its correspondingphysical device.

The principal control logic for carrying out an action typically, inembodiments of the present invention, resides in the principal interfacemethod of an action class and objects instantiated from it. In thisexample, the take_action( ) method is programmed to carry out a sequenceof controlling method calls to carry out the changes on the physicaldevices that this action class was developed to do in the first place.The take_action( ) method carries out this work with a series of callsto accessor methods (set( ) and get( ) methods) in the device objects inits device list.

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofdetermining that the user metric is outside the predefined metric range.In many typical embodiments of methods for administering devices, theuser metric is represented in data as a data structure or record, suchas the user metric record of FIG. 5. The user metric (206) includes auser ID field (405), a metric ID field (407), and a value field (409).

In many examples of the present invention, the predefined metric rangeis represented in data as a data structure or record, such as the metricrange record (210) of FIG. 5. The metric range (210) includes a metricID field (462) identifying the metric to be compared with the metricrange. The metric range of FIG. 5 includes a user ID field (464)identifying the user. The metric range of FIG. 5 includes a Max field(468) storing a maximum metric value of a predefined metric range andthe Min field (470) storing a minimum metric value of the predefinedmetric range.

In the example of FIG. 5, a predefined metric range for a metric isrepresented in data as a metric range such as the metric range (210) ofFIG. 5. The exemplary metric range (210) sets forth a maximum rangevalue (468) and a minimum range value (470) for a particular user for aparticular metric. The particular user and the particular metric for theexemplary range are identified respectively in a user ID field (464) anda metric ID field (462).

In the method of FIG. 5, determining (306) that value of the user metric(206) is outside (309) of a predefined metric range (210) includesmeasuring (502) a degree (504) to which the user metric (206) is outside(309) the predefined metric range (210). In many typical embodiments ofthe present invention, measuring (502) the degree (504) to which theuser metric (206) is outside (309) the metric range (210) includesidentifying the magnitude by which the value of the user metric isgreater than the maximum metric value the metric range or the magnitudeby which the value of the user metric value is less than the minimumvalue of the predefined metric range. To the extent that measuring thedegree to which a metric is out of range includes identifying a measureas greater than a maximum range value or less than a minimum rangevalue, the measurement often advantageously includes both a magnitudeand an indication of direction, such as, for example, a sign (+ or −),an enumerated indication such as, for example, ‘UP’ or ‘DOWN’, or aBoolean indication such as true for high and false for low.

In the method of FIG. 5, identifying (310) an action in dependence uponthe user metric includes identifying (512) an action in dependence uponthe degree (504) to which the value of the user metric (206) is outside(309) the metric range and also often in dependence upon the directionin which the metric is out of range. In many embodiments of the methodof FIG. 5, identifying (512) the action in dependence upon the degree(504) to which the user metric is outside of the predefined metric rangeincludes retrieving an action ID from an action list (313) organized bymetric ID, user ID, degree, and direction.

In many DMLs according to the present invention are preinstalled deviceclasses for all of the devices the DML supports. Newly acquired physicaldevices identify themselves as being on the network and the DMLassociates the device ID with the device class already installed on theDML. In such an example embodiment, the DML identifies the device byassociating the device ID with the pre-installed device class.

Administering Devices in Dependence Upon User Metric Vectors

Many exemplary embodiments of methods of administering devices independence upon user metrics have been discussed above. The previoussection introduced user metrics and user metric ranges. With referenceto FIG. 6, the present section of this disclosure introduces a usermetric vector that is comprised of a plurality of user metrics andintroduces a user metric space that is comprised of a plurality ofmetric ranges.

FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofadministering devices in accordance with the present invention. Themethod of FIG. 6 includes creating (604) a user metric vector (606)comprising a plurality of disparate user metrics (206). As discussed inthe previous section, a user metric represents an indication of usercondition defined as a single quantifiable aspect of a user's conditionand a quantity measuring the aspect. A user metric vector comprised of aplurality of disparate user metrics represents a complex indication ofuser condition having multiple quantifiable aspects of a user'scondition and multiple quantities measuring the aspects.

The term ‘disparate’ user metrics means user metrics of different kinds.Therefore, the user metric vector (606) being comprised of a pluralityof disparate user metrics is a complex indication of a user's conditioncomprising a plurality of different kinds of aspects of user conditionand plurality of quantities measuring those aspect. In many embodimentsof the method of FIG. 6, the user metric vector (606) comprisesreferences the current user metric objects instantiated by a metricservice. The current user metric objects of different kinds provide acurrent snapshot of a user's condition.

In typical embodiments of the present invention, a user metric vector isimplemented as a user metric vector data structure or record (606), suchas the exemplary user metric vector (606) of FIG. 6. The user metricvector (606) includes a user ID (405) identifying the user and a metricvector ID (407) uniquely identifying the user metric vector. The usermetric vector (606) also includes data storage for a metric list (652)containing references to disparate user metrics.

In the method of FIG. 6, creating (604) a user metric vector (606)includes receiving (602) a plurality of disparate user metrics (206)having a plurality of metric values (409) and a plurality of disparatemetric IDs (407). In many typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 6,receiving (602) a plurality of disparate user metrics (206) includesreceiving disparate user metrics from one or more metric sensors (406).In some examples of the method of FIG. 6, the metric sensor (300) readsan indication of a user's condition, creates a user metric in dependenceupon the indication of a user's condition, and transmits the user metricto a DML. In many typical embodiments, the metric sensor transmits theuser metric to the DML in a predefined data structure, such as themetric (206) of FIG. 3, to the DML using, for example, protocols such asBluetooth, 802.11, HTTP, WAP, or any other protocol that will occur tothose of skill in the art.

In the method of FIG. 6, creating (604) a user metric vector (606)include associating (603) the plurality of disparate user metrics (206)with the user metric vector (606). ‘Associated,’ generally in thisdisclosure and subject to context, means associated by reference. Thatis, saying that an object of one class is associated with another objectmeans that the second object possesses a reference to the first. Theobjects can be mutually associated, each possessing a reference to theother. Other relations among objects, aggregation, composition, and soon, are usually types of association, and the use of any of them, aswell as others as will occur to those of skill in the art, is wellwithin the scope of the present invention. In the exemplary method ofFIG. 6, associating (603) the plurality of disparate user metrics (206)with the user metric vector (606) is carried out by providing referencesto a plurality of disparate metric objects in the user metric vector(606)

In some exemplary embodiments, the user metric vector is implemented asan object instantiated by a metric vector service. In some suchembodiments, when a DML receives a metric, the DML passes the metric toa metric service that instantiates a metric object. In typicalembodiments, the metric service then passes a reference to the metricobject to the metric vector service. In many embodiments, the metricvector service identifies, from a metric vector list, a metric vector IDidentifying a user metric vector in dependence upon a user ID and ametric ID. In typical embodiments, if there is not yet a metric vectorfor the user ID and for that metric ID in the metric vector service'smetric vector list, the metric vector service instantiates one andstores its metric vector ID in the metric vector services' metric vectortable, indexed by the associated user ID and metric ID. Creating a usermetric vector object can be implemented by way of the followingexemplary pseudocode: // receive a metric on input stream // extract itsuserID as an integer / extract its metricID as an integer // instantiatea metric object Metric newMetric =metricService.createMetricObject(userID,metricID,Value); intMetricVectorID = 0; if((MetricVectorID =MetricVectorList.get(userID,metricID)) == 0) { MetricVectornewMetricVector =MetricVectorService.createMetricVectorObject(userID,metricID);MetricVectorID = newMetricVector.MetricVectorID;MetricVectorList.add(MetricVectorID, newMetricVector) }

In the pseudocode example above, the metric vector service searches ametric vector list by metric ID and user ID for a metric vector havingreferences to the metric. If the metric vector list does not include themetric CreateMetricVectorObject( ) creates one having a new metricvector ID and MetricVectorList.add( ) adds the new metric vector to themetric vector list.

Continuing with another segment of pseudo code, the metric vectorservice then searches the metric vector list in dependence upon metricvector ID:

-   -   MetricVector userMetric        Vector=MetricVectorList.get(MetricVectorID);    -   userMetricVector.setMetric(Metric newMetric);

MetricVector.setMetric(Metric newMetric), in this example, operates byfirst checking whether it possesses in a metric list a reference to thenew metric. If the new metric is not in its list, then setMetric( ) addsthe new metric to its list. If the new metric is of a kind alreadyrepresented in the list, then setMetric( ) replaces the previousreference with the new one, for example, like this: setMetric(MetricnewMetric) { if((Metric aMetric = metricList..get(newMetric.metricID))== null){ metricList.add(newMetric.metricID, newMetric) } elsemetricList.set(aMetric.metricID, newMetric); }

The method of FIG. 6 includes creating (605) a user metric space (610)comprising a plurality of metric ranges. A user metric space (610) iscomprised of a plurality of disparate metric ranges for a user. That is,a metric space is defined by a plurality of disparate metric ranges fora plurality of disparate metric IDs. In many exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention, a metric space is implemented as a metric spacedata structure such as the exemplary metric space (610) of FIG. 6. Themetric space (610) of FIG. 6 includes a user ID identifying the user.The metric space (610) of FIG. 6 also includes data storage (655) for alist of references to disparate metric ranges for a user.

In the method of FIG. 6, creating (602) a user metric space (610)includes identifying (601) a plurality of metric ranges (210) for aplurality of disparate metrics (206) and associating (607) the pluralityof disparate metric ranges (210) for the plurality of disparate metrics(206) with the user metric space (610). In many examples of the methodof FIG. 6, identifying (601) a plurality of metric ranges (210) andassociating (607) the plurality of metric ranges (210) the user metricspace (610) is carried out by a metric space service that isinstantiated by a DML. The metric vector service receives, from a usermetric vector, a user metric vector ID and searches a metric space listidentified by metric vector ID for a metric space and returns to theuser metric vector a metric space ID identifying a metric space forcomparison with the user metric vector. If there is no metric space forthe metric vector ID, the metric space service instantiates one andstores the metric space ID in the metric space table. Creating a usermetric space can be carried out by way of the following exemplarypsuedocode: // extract metric vector ID as an integer // instantiate ametric space object MetricVector newMetricVector =MetricVectorService.createMetricVectorObject(MetricVectorID); intspaceID = 0; if((spaceID = MetricSpaceList.get(metricVectorID)) == 0) {MetricSpace newMetricSpace = MetricSpaceService.createMetricSpaceServiceObject(MetricVectorID);MetricSpaceID = newMetricSpace. SpaceID; MetricSpaceList.add(SpaceID,newMetricSpace)  }

In the pseudo code example above, the metric vector service searches ametric space list indexed by metric vector ID. If the metric space listcontains no metric space for the metric vector ID, then

-   MetricSpaceService.createMetricSpaceServiceObject(metricVectorID)    creates a new metric space with a new metric space ID.

In the following psuedocode segment, the metric vector service thensearches the metric space list and retrieves a metric space:

-   MetricSpace userMetricSpace=MetricSpaceList.get(spaceID);-   MetricSpace.setMetricRange(MetricRange newMetricRange);

MetricSpace.setMetricRange(MetricRange newMetricRange), in this example,operates by first checking whether it possesses in a metric space list areference to for a metric range for each metric in the user metricvector. If a metric range is not in its list, then setMetricSpace( )adds the metric range to its list. If the new metric range is of a kindalready represented in the list, then setMetricRange( ) replaces theprevious reference with the new one, for example, like this:setMetricRange(MetricRange newRange) { if((MetricRange aMetricRange =metricRangeList..get(newMetricRange.metricID, userID)) == null){metricRangeList.add(newMetricRange.metricID.userID, newMetricRange) }else metricRangeList.set(aMetricRange.metricID.userID, newMetricRange);}

The exemplary method of FIG. 6 includes determining (608) whether theuser metric vector (606) is outside (309) a user metric space (610). Invarious alternative example embodiments determining (608) whether theuser metric vector (606) is outside (309) a user metric space (610) iscarried out using many different methods. Methods of determining whetherthe user metric vector (606) is outside (309) a user metric space (610)range in complexity from relatively simple comparison of user metricswith user ranges to much more complex algorithms. All methods ofdetermining whether the user metric vector (606) is outside (309) a usermetric space (610) are a part of the present invention. A few exemplarymethods of determining (608) whether the user metric vector (606) isoutside (309) a user metric space (610) are described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 8.

If the user metric vector (606) is outside (309) a user metric space(610), the exemplary method of FIG. 6 includes identifying (612) anaction (315) in dependence upon the user metric vector. An actionincludes one or more computer programs, subroutines, or member methodsthat when executed, control one or more devices. Actions are typicallyimplemented as object oriented classes and manipulated as objects orreferences to objects. In fact, in this specification, unless contextindicates otherwise, the terms ‘action,’ ‘action object,’ and ‘referenceto an action object’ are treated more or less as synonyms. In manyembodiments of the method of FIG. 6, an action object calls membermethods in a device class to affect current attributes of the physicaldevice. In many embodiments of the method of FIG. 6, action classes oraction objects are deployed in OSGi bundles to a DML on a servicesgateway.

In typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 6, identifying an actionincludes retrieving an action ID from an action list organized by userID and metric vector ID. In the method of FIG. 6, retrieving an actionID from an action list includes retrieving from a list theidentification of the action (the ‘action ID’) to be executed when ametric vector of a particular metric vector ID and for a particular useris outside of the user metric space. The action list can be implemented,for example, as a Java list container, as a table in random accessmemory, as a SQL database table with storage on a hard drive or CD ROM,and in other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art.

The exemplary method of FIG. 6 includes executing (614) the action(312). As mentioned above, the actions themselves comprise software, andso can be implemented as concrete action classes embodied, for example,in a Java package imported into the DML at compile time and thereforealways available during DML run time. Executing an action therefore isoften carried out in such embodiments by use of a switch( ) statement inthe DML. Such a switch( ) statement can be operated in dependence uponthe action ID and implemented, for example, as illustrated by thefollowing segment of pseudocode: switch (actionID) { Case 1:actionNumber1.take_action( ); break; Case 2:actionNumber2.take_action( ); break; Case 3:actionNumber3.take_action( ); break; Case 4:actionNumber4.take_action( ); break; Case 5:actionNumber5.take_action( ); break; // and so on } // end switch( )

The exemplary switch statement selects a particular device controllingobject for execution depending on the action ID. The device controllingobjects administered by the switch( ) in this example are concreteaction classes named actionNumber1, actionNumber2, and so on, eachhaving an executable member method named ‘take_action( ),’ which carriesout the actual work implemented by each action class.

Executing an action also is often carried out in such embodiments by useof a hash table in the DML. Such a hash table can store references toaction object keyed by action ID, as shown in the following pseudocodeexample. This example begins by an action service's creating a hashtableof actions, references to objects of concrete action classes associatedwith a particular metric ID, using action IDs as keys. In manyembodiments it is an action service that creates such a hashtable, fillsit with references to action objects pertinent to a particular metricID, and returns a reference to the hashtable to a calling metric object.

-   -   Hashtable ActionHashTable=new Hashtable( );    -   ActionHashTable.put(“1”, new Action1( ));    -   ActionHashTable.put(“2”, new Action2( ));    -   ActionHashTable.put(“3”, new Action3( ));

Executing a particular action then can be carried out according to thefollowing pseudocode:

-   -   Action anAction=(Action) ActionHashTable.get(“2”);    -   if (anAction!=null) anAction.take_action( );

Many examples in this specification are described as implemented withlists, often with lists of actions, for example, returned with areference to a list from an action service, for example. Lists oftenfunction in fashion similar to hashtables. Executing a particularaction, for example, can be carried out according to the followingpseudocode:

-   -   List ActionList=new List( );    -   ActionList.add(1, new Action1( ));    -   ActionList.add(2, new Action2( ));    -   ActionList.add(3, new Action3( ));

Executing a particular action then can be carried out according to thefollowing pseudocode:

-   -   Action anAction=(Action) ActionList.get(2);    -   if (anaction!=null) anAction.take_action( );

The three examples just above use switch statements, hash tables, andlist objects to explain executing actions according to embodiments ofthe present invention. The use of switch statements, hash tables, andlist objects in these examples are for explanation, not for limitation.In fact, there are many ways of executing actions according toembodiments of the present invention, as will occur to those of skill inthe art, and all such ways are well within the scope of the presentinvention.

We turn now to a more detailed discussion of creating a user metricspace. FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcreating (702) a user metric space (610). In the example of FIG. 7creating (705) a user metric space (610) includes editing (702) a metricrange. By editing a metric range of a metric space a user is empoweredto expand or contract the user metric space by changing the minimum andmaximum metric values of a particular metric range. Expanding a metricrange, and therefore the user metric space, will, in many cases, resultin less frequent determinations that a user metric vector is outside theuser metric space, giving rise executing fewer actions administeringdevices. Contracting a metric range, and therefore a user metric space,in many cases, will result in more frequent determinations that the usermetric vector is outside of the metric space, giving rise executing moreactions administering devices. By editing the metric ranges, a user isempowered to affect the frequency with which a user metric vector isoutside of the user metric space, and therefore, giving rise to morefrequently executing actions that carry out the administration ofdevices.

In the method of FIG. 7, editing a metric range includes receiving (710)an editing instruction (704) from a user (300). In many exampleembodiments of the present invention, receiving an editing instruction(704) is carried out through the use of a web browser installed on acomputer (706). In many embodiments, a services gateway on which a DMLis installed has no user interface hardware, no terminal screen, nokeyboard, no mouse, although such services gateways do often supportHTTP interfaces to services on the gateway. In such embodiments, a usercan access HTTP screens by logging on to a browser on a personalcomputer or other client device that does support user interfacehardware and that is coupled to the services gateway through a LAN anddirecting the browser to the services gateway's IP address on the LAN.Using a web browser installed on a computer (706) connected to theservices gateway on which a DML is installed, the user is empowered tochange the maximum and minimum values of the metric ranges to expand orcontract the user metric space.

FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram illustrating two exemplary methods ofdetermining (608) whether the user metric vector (606) is outside (309)a user metric space (610). The first illustrated method of determining(608) whether the user metric vector (606) is outside (309) a usermetric space (610) includes comparing (806) the metric values (409) ofthe user metric vector (606) with the metric ranges (210) of the metricspace. In some examples of the present invention, comparing a metricvalue of a user metric vector with its corresponding metric rangeincludes measuring a degree to which the value of a user metric isoutside a predefined metric range and identifying if the value of theuser metric is above the predefined metric range or below the predefinedmetric range.

In many exemplary embodiments of the present invention, determiningwhether the user metric vector is outside of the metric space is afunction of multiple individual comparisons between metric values andmetric ranges. In various alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, different criteria are used to identify the number of metricvalues that must be outside of their corresponding metric ranges, or thedegree to which any metric value is outside of its corresponding metricrange to determine that the user metric vector is outside of the metricspace. In some embodiments using a strict criteria for determining if auser metric vector is outside of a user metric space, if only one metricvalue is outside of its corresponding metric range, then the user metricvector is determined to be outside of the metric space. In otherembodiments, using less strict criteria for determining if a user metricvector is outside of a user metric space, a user metric vector isdetermined to be outside the user metric space if all of the metricvalues of the user metric vector are outside of their correspondingmetric ranges by a certain degree. In various embodiments, the number ofmetric values that must be outside of their corresponding metric ranges,or the degree to which a metric must be outside of its correspondingmetric range to make a determination that the user metric vector isoutside of the metric space will vary, all such methods of determiningwhether a user metric vector is outside of a metric space are includedin the present invention.

The second illustrated method determining (608) that the user metricvector (606) is outside the user metric space (610) illustrated in FIG.8 includes calculating (810) a metric vector value (812) and calculating(814) a metric space value (815) and comparing (818) the metric vectorvalue (812) and the metric space value (816). One way of calculating ametric vector value is by using a predetermined formula to identify asingle value that is a function of the metric values of the user metricvector. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,calculating a metric vector value includes averaging the metric valuesof the user metric vector. In another example embodiment, calculating ametric vector value includes prioritizing certain kinds of metrics andusing a weighted average based on the priority of the metric tocalculate a metric vector value.

In some exemplary embodiments, calculating (814) a metric space value(815) includes using a predetermined formula to determine a metric spacevalue that is a function of the minimum and maximum values of eachrange. In one example embodiment, calculating a metric space valueincludes finding the center point of the minimum and maximum value ofthe each metric range and then averaging the center points.

The illustrated method includes comparing (818) the metric space value(815) and the metric vector value (812). In various embodiments of thepresent invention, how the metric vector value and the metric spacevalue are compared to determine whether the metric vector is outside ofthe metric space will vary. In one example embodiment, the metric vectorvalue is subtracted from the metric space value. If the result of thesubtraction is within a predetermined range, then the user metric vectoris determined to be within the metric space. In the same example, if theresult of the subtraction is not within the predetermined range, thenthe metric vector value is not determined to be within the metric space.

The illustrated methods of FIG. 8 are provided for explanation and notfor limitation. There are many other ways metric ranges and metricvalues can be compared, combined, manipulated, or otherwise used to makea determination that a user metric vector is outside of a metric space.All such ways of comparing, combining, manipulating, or otherwise usingmetric values and metric ranges to make a determination that a usermetric vector is outside of a metric space are part of the presentinvention.

Administering Devices with Multiple Metric Spaces for a User

The previous section of this disclosure introduced user metric vectorsand user metric spaces. We now turn to address methods for administeringdevices including multiple metric spaces for a user. FIG. 9 is a dataflow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for administering devices.The method of FIG. 9 includes creating (920) a user metric vector (606)comprising a plurality of disparate user metrics (206). As describedabove with reference to FIG. 6, a user metric vector (606) is a complexindication of user condition comprised of a plurality of disparate usermetrics, each user metric representing a single quantifiable aspect of auser's condition and a quantity measuring the aspect.

In typical embodiments of the present invention, a user metric vector isimplemented as a user metric vector data structure or record (606), suchas the exemplary user metric vector (606) of FIG. 9. The user metricvector (606) includes a user ID (405) identifying the user and a metricvector ID (407) identifying the metric vector. The user metric vector(606) also includes data storage for a metric list (652) includingreferences to current disparate user metrics stored as a metric list(652).

In the method of FIG. 9, creating (920) a user metric vector (606)includes receiving (922) a plurality of disparate user metrics (206)having a plurality of metric values (409) and a plurality of disparatemetric IDs (407). In many typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 9,receiving (922) a plurality of disparate user metrics (206) includesreceiving disparate user metrics from one or more metric sensors (406).In some examples of the method of FIG. 9, the metric sensor (300) readsan indication of a user's condition, creates a user metric in dependenceupon the indication of a user's condition, and transmits the user metricto a DML. In many typical embodiments, the metric sensor transmits theuser metric to the DML in a predefined data structure, such as themetric (206) of FIG. 3, to the DML using, for example, protocols such asBluetooth, 802.11, HTTP, WAP, or any other protocol that will occur tothose of skill in the art.

In the method of FIG. 9, creating (920) a user metric vector (606)include associating (924) the plurality of disparate user metrics (206)with the user metric vector (606). ‘Associated,’ generally in thisdisclosure and subject to context, means associated by reference. Thatis, saying that an object of one class is associated with another objectmeans that the second object possesses a reference to the first. Theobjects can be mutually associated, each possessing a reference to theother. Other relations among objects, aggregation, composition, and soon, are usually types of association, and the use of any of them, aswell as others as will occur to those of skill in the art, is wellwithin the scope of the present invention. In the exemplary method ofFIG. 9, associating (924) the plurality of disparate user metrics (206)with the user metric vector (606) is carried out by providing referencesto a plurality of disparate metric objects in the user metric vector(606)

The method FIG. 9 includes creating (926) a plurality of user metricspaces (610), each user metric space (610) comprising a plurality ofmetric ranges. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, a usermetric space (610) is comprised of a plurality of disparate metricranges for a user. That is, a metric space is defined by a plurality ofdisparate metric ranges for a plurality of disparate metric IDs.

Multiple metrics spaces provide environmental context to methods ofadministering devices by providing a metric space for a user that isappropriate for the user's current physical or emotional environment.The term ‘environment’ in this disclosure is not limited to a physicalenvironment surrounding the user. Environments also include a user'semotional context such as stress, joy, excitement, and so on. Physicaland emotional environments often affect user condition, and therefore,often affect user metrics. For example, user metrics received when auser is sitting in traffic on a large freeway are in many casesdifferent than user metrics received when a user is sitting at homewatching television. Using an environmentally appropriate metric spacein methods for administering devices allows increased granularity withregard to determining that a user is outside the user metric space,thereby, giving rise to executing actions to administer devices. Whileobjectively identifying a user's emotional condition may seem moredifficult than objectively identifying certain physical conditionssurrounding the user, methods according to the present invention, do infact address selecting an appropriate metric space for a user's independence upon a user's emotional environment as will be discussedbelow.

In many exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a metric spaceis implemented as a metric space data structure such as the exemplarymetric space (610) of FIG. 6. The metric space (610) of FIG. 6 includesa user ID identifying the user and a space ID (908) identifying themetric space. The metric space (610) of FIG. 6 also includes datastorage (655) for a list of references to disparate metric ranges for auser.

In the method of FIG. 9, creating (922) a plurality of user metricspaces (610) includes identifying (928) a plurality of metric ranges(210) for a plurality of disparate metrics (206) and associating (930)the plurality of disparate metric ranges (210) for the plurality ofdisparate metrics (206) with the user metric spaces (610). As describedabove in more detail with reference to FIG. 6, in many examples of themethod of FIG. 9, identifying (928) a plurality of metric ranges (210)and associating (930) the plurality of metric ranges (210) the usermetric space (610) is carried out by a metric space service. In manyembodiments, the metric space service receives a metric vector ID from ametric vector object and searches, in dependence upon the metric vectorID, a metric space table for a metric space and returns to the usermetric vector a metric space ID identifying a metrics space forcomparison with the user metric vector. If there is no metric space forthe metric vector ID, the metric space service instantiates one andstores the metric space ID in the metric space table.

The method of FIG. 9 includes selecting (902), from the plurality ofuser metric spaces, a metric space (610) for a user. In many exampleembodiments of the present invention, selecting a metric space for theuser includes selecting an environmentally appropriate metric space fora user. Often such embodiments include identifying a metric space ID andretrieving a metric space from a metric space table, in dependence uponthe space ID. Some exemplary methods of selecting a user metric space inaccordance with the present invention are described in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 10.

The method of FIG. 9 includes determining (932) whether the user metricvector (606) is outside (309) the selected metric space (610). Asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 8, in many exampleembodiments, determining (932) whether the user metric vector (606) isoutside (309) the selected user metric space (610) is carried out usingmany different methods ranging from a relatively simple comparison tomuch more complicated algorithms all of which are included in thepresent invention.

If the user metric vector (606) is outside (309) the selected metricspace (610), the method of FIG. 9 includes identifying (934) an action(315) in dependence upon the user metric vector. An action includes oneor more computer programs, subroutines, or member methods that whenexecuted, control one or more devices. Actions are typically implementedas object oriented classes and manipulated as objects or references toobjects. In many embodiments of the method of FIG. 9, an action objectcalls member methods in a device class to affect current attributes ofthe physical device. In many embodiments of the method of FIG. 9, actionclasses or action objects are deployed in OSGi bundles to a DML on aservices gateway.

In typical embodiments of the method of FIG. 9, identifying an actionincludes retrieving an action ID from an action list organized by userID and metric vector ID. In the method of FIG. 9, retrieving an actionID from an action list includes retrieving from a list theidentification of the action (the ‘action ID’) to be executed when ametric vector of a particular metric vector ID and for a particular useris outside of the user metric space. The action list can be implemented,for example, as a Java list container, as a table in random accessmemory, as a SQL database table with storage on a hard drive or CD ROM,and in other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art.

The method of FIG. 9 includes executing (934) the action (312). Asmentioned above, the actions themselves comprise software, and so can beimplemented as concrete action classes embodied, for example, in a Javapackage imported into the DML at compile time and therefore alwaysavailable during DML run time. As described in more detail above withreference to FIG. 6, exemplary methods of executing actions includeusing switch statements, hash tables, list objects or any other methodof executing an action that will occur to those of skill in the art.

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram illustrating exemplary alternativemethods of selecting (902), from a multiplicity of user metric spaces, auser metric space (610). In one of the illustrated methods of FIG. 10,selecting (902), from a plurality of user metric spaces, a user metricspace (610) for a user receiving (906) a metric space ID (952) from auser (300). By receiving a metric space ID from a user, a user isempowered to select an environmentally appropriate metric space. Becausethe user is selecting the metric space, the user can select a metricspace that is not only appropriate for the user's physical surroundings,but is also appropriate for the user's emotional environment. A user,knowing his own emotional environment, is empowered to select anappropriate metric space. Selecting a metric space having larger metricranges will, in many cases, result in less frequent determinations thata user metric vector is outside the selected user metric space, andexecuting fewer actions administering devices. Selecting a metric spacehaving smaller metric ranges, in many cases, will result in morefrequent determinations that the user metric vector is outside of themetric space, and executing more actions administering devices.

Receiving a metric space ID from a user, in some embodiments, carriedout through the use of a web browser installed on a computer (706). Inmany embodiments, a services gateway on which the DML is installed hasno user interface hardware, no terminal screen, no keyboard, no mouse,although such services gateways do often support HTTP interfaces toservices on the gateway. In such embodiments, a user can access HTTPscreens by logging on to a browser on a personal computer or otherclient device that does support user interface hardware and that iscoupled to the gateway through a LAN and directing the browser to theservices gateway's IP address on the LAN. Using a web browser installedon a computer (706) connected to the services gateway, a user may accessinstruction screens displaying a plurality of user metric spaces andproviding choices for the user to select a metric space. The user isempowered to select an appropriate metric space.

In other exemplary embodiments, selecting a metric space is carried outwithout user intervention. In another of the illustrated methods of FIG.10, selecting (902), from a multiplicity of metric spaces, a metricspace (610) for a user comprises selecting (908) a metric space ID (952)in dependence upon the value (409) of a user metric (206). In many casesan environmentally appropriate metric space can be selected independence upon the value of a single metric in the user metric vector.For example, an appropriate metric space for a user located at home maynot be appropriate for the same user located in the user's boss'soffice. The metric space that is selected when GPS metrics indicate thatthe user is located in the user's boss's office may include differentmetric ranges than the metric space selected when GPS metrics indicatethat the user is in the user's office.

In many exemplary embodiments, selecting a metric space is carried outby a metric space service without user intervention. In some examples ofthe illustrated method, selecting (908) a metric space ID (952) independence upon the value (409) of a user metric (206) includescomparing the value of the user metric with a metric value comparisontable, including, for example, a user ID, a metric vector ID, metric ID,metric value, and a space ID. A metric service compares the metricvalues of the user metric vector with the metric value comparison table(910) and selects a space ID, in dependence upon the metric value.

Calendar data, such as day, month, year, and time of day are alsocriteria for selecting an appropriate metric space, without requiringuser intervention. For example, an appropriate user metric space onChristmas may contain different metric ranges than an appropriate usermetric space on a day the user is giving a presentation to the user'sboss. Similarly, an appropriate user metric space at 2:00 AM may containdifferent metric ranges than an appropriate user metric space at 2:00PM.

In another illustrated method of FIG. 10, therefore, selecting (902),from a plurality of user metric spaces, a user metric space (610)includes selecting (912) a metric space ID in dependence upon a calendardata (916). In many example embodiments, a metric service includes ametric space calendar table including space IDs indexed by calendar datasuch as day and time. The metric service, in some embodiments, thereforeselects a metric space ID in dependence upon day and time.

In some embodiments, a user can associate a day a time with a particularmetric space. For example, a user may associate a metric space havinglarger metric ranges for the user with a day and time of an importantbusiness meeting. In some embodiments of the present invention, a usermay associate a metric space with calendar data using for example, a webbrowser installed on a computer (706). In such embodiments, a user canaccess HTTP instruction screens allowing a user to associate aparticular metric space with calendar data, such as a day and time.

Once a metric space ID identifying a metric space is selected, in manyexemplary embodiments, selecting (902), from a multiplicity of usermetric spaces, a user metric space (610) also includes retrieving (904)a metric space from a metric space table in dependence upon a metricspace ID (904). In many example embodiments, a metric space serviceincludes a metric space table including references to various usermetric spaces indexed by space ID. In many such embodiments, when themetric service selects a space ID identifying an appropriate metricspace, the metric service searches the metric space table for areference to the metric space object identified by the space ID andpasses a reference to the metric space object to a metric vector objectfor comparison to determine whether the user metric vector is outsidethe metric space.

Exemplary Classes and Class Cooperation

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary classes useful inimplementing methods for administering devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The exemplary classes of FIG. 11 are presented as anaid to understanding of the present invention, not for limitation. Whilemethods of administering devices in accordance with the presentinvention are discussed generally in this specification in terms ofJava, Java is used only for explanation, not for limitation. In fact,methods of administering devices in accordance with the presentinvention can be implemented in many programming languages includingC++, Smalltalk, C, Pascal, Basic, COBOL, Fortran, and so on, as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary DML class (202). Aninstance of the exemplary DML class (202) of FIG. 11 provides membermethods that carry out the steps of administering devices in accordancewith the present invention. The exemplary DML class of FIG. 11 is shownwith an Activator.start( ) method so that the DML can be started as aservice in an OSGi framework. Although only one member method is shownfor this DML, DMLs in fact will often have more member methods as neededfor a particular embodiment. The DML class of FIG. 11 also includesmember data elements for storing references to services classes, oftencreated by the DML's constructor. In this example, the DML providesstorage fields for references to a metric service (552), a metric rangeservice (558), a communication service (554), an action service (560), adevice service (556), a metric vector service (559) and a metric spaceservice (561).

The metric service class (204) of FIG. 11 provides member methods thatreceive user metrics from a DML and create, in response to receiving theuser metrics from the DML, an instance of a metric class. The metricservice class (204) of FIG. 11 includes a createMetric(UserID, MetricID,MetricValue) member method (562). The createMetric( ) member method is afactory method parameterized with a metric ID that creates and returns ametric object in dependence upon the metric ID. In response to getting auser metric from the DML, the exemplary instance of the metric serviceclass (204) of FIG. 11 creates an instance of a metric class and returnsto the DML a reference to the new metric object.

Strictly speaking, there is nothing in the limitations of the presentinvention that requires the DML to create metric object through afactory method. The DML can for example proceed as illustrated in thefollowing pseudocode segment:

-   -   //receive on an input stream a metric message    -   //extract from the metric message a userID,    -   //a metric ID, and a metric value, so that:    -   int userID=//userID from the metric message    -   int metricID=//metricID from the metric message    -   int metricValue=//metric value from the metric message    -   Metric aMetric=new Metric( );    -   aMetric.setUserID (userID);    -   aMetric.setMetricID(metricID);    -   aMetric.setMetricValue(metricValue);    -   aMetric.start( );

This example creates a metric object and uses accessor methods to loadits member data. This approach provides exactly the same class of metricobject for each metric, however, and there are circumstances whenmetrics advantageously utilize different concrete class structures. Inthe case of metrics for heart rate and blood pressure, for example, bothmetric values may be encoded as integers, where a metric value for polarcoordinates on the surface of the earth from a GPS transceiver, forexample, may advantageously be encoded in a more complex data structure,even having its own Location class, for example. Using a factory methodeases the use of more than one metric class. A DML using a factorymethod to create metric objects can proceed as illustrated in thefollowing exemplary pseudocode segment:

-   -   //receive on an input stream a metric message    -   //extract from the metric message a userID,    -   //a metric ID, and a metric value, so that:    -   int userID=//userID from the metric message    -   int metricID=//metricID from the metric message    -   int metricValue=//metric value from the metric message    -   Metric aMetric=MetricService.createMetricObject(userID,        metricID, metricvalue);    -   aMetric.start( );

This example relies on the factory method createMetric( ) to set theparameter values into the new metric object. A metric service and afactory method for metric object can be implemented as illustrated inthe following pseudocode segment: // // Metric Service Class // classMetricService { public static Metric createMetricObject(userID,metricID, metricValue) { Metric aMetric; switch(metricID) { case 1:aMetric = new HeartRateMetric(userID, metricID, metricValue); break;case 2: aMetric = new BloodPressureMetric(userID, metricID,metricValue); break; case 3: aMetric = new GPSMetric(userID, metricIDmetricValue); break; } // end switch( ) return aMetric; } // endcreateMetric( ) } // end class MetricService

MetricService in this example implements a so-called parameterizedfactory design pattern, including a factory method. In this example, thefactory method is a member method named ‘createMetricObject( ).’CreateMetricObject( ) accepts three parameters, a user ID, a metric ID,and a metric value. CreateMetricObject( ) implements a switch statementin dependence upon the metric ID to select and instantiate a particularconcrete metric class. The concrete metric classes in this example areHeartRateMetric, BloodPressureMetric, and GPSMetric, each of whichextends a Metric base class. CreateMetricObject( ) returns to thecalling DML a reference to a new metric object. The call from the DML:Metric aMetric=MetricService.createMetricObject(userID, metricID,metricvalue);

is polymorphic, utilizing a reference to the base class Metric, so thatthe calling DML neither knows nor cares which class of metric object isactually instantiated and returned. The following is an example ofextending a Metric base class to define a concrete metric classrepresenting a user's location on the surface of the earth extending aMetric base class: Class GPSMetric extends Metric { int myUserID; intmyMetricID class GPSLocation { Latitude myLatitude; LongitudemyLongitude; } Class Latitude { String direction; int degrees; intminutes; int seconds; } Class Longitude { String direction; int degrees;int minutes; int seconds; } GPSLocation myLocation; GPSMetric(intuserID, int metricID GPSLocation metricValue) { myUserID = userID;myMetricID = metricID: myLocation = metricValue; } }

The example concrete class GPSMetric provides storage for latitude andlongitude. GPSMetric provides a constructor GPSMetric( ) that takesinteger arguments to set userID and metricID but expects its metricValueargument to be a reference to a GPSLocation object, which in turnprovides member data storage for latitude and longitude.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary metric class (206).The exemplary metric class (206) of FIG. 11 represents a user metric.The exemplary metric class (206) of FIG. 11 includes a user ID field(486), a metric ID field (488), a value field (490). The user ID field(486) identifies the user. The metric ID (488) field identifies the usermetric that an instance of the metric class represents. The value field(490) includes a value of the user metric. This exemplary metric class(206) is an example of a class that can in various embodiments be usedin various embodiments as a generic class, instances of which can beused to store or represent more than one type of metric having identicalor similar member data elements as discussed above. Alternatively inother embodiments, a class such as this example metric class (206) canbe used as a base class to be extended by concrete derived classes eachof which can have widely disparate member data type, also describedabove.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a metric vector service (207). Themetric vector service class (207) of FIG. 11 provides member methodsthat receive user metrics from a metric service and create, in responseto receiving the user metrics from the metric service, an instance of ametric vector class. The metric vector service class (207) includes acreateMetric vectorObject( ) member method (565). In many exampleembodiments, the createMetric vectorObject( ) member method identifiesfrom a metric vector list a metric vector ID for the user metric vectorin dependence upon the user ID, and the metric ID. If there is not ametric vector for the user and for that metric ID in the metric vectorservice's metric vector list, the metric vector service instantiates oneand stores its metric vector ID in a metric vector table, indexed by theassociated user ID and metric ID. Creating a metric vector object can beimplemented as illustrated in the following pseudocode segment: //receive a metric on input stream // extract its userID as an integer //instantiate a metric object Metric newMetric =metricService.createMetricObject(metricID); int MetricVectorID = 0;if((MetricVectorID = MetricVectorList.get(userID, metricID)) == 0) {MetricVector newMetricVector =MetricVectorService.createMetricVectorObject(userID, metricID);MetricVectorID = newMetricVector.MetricVectorID;MetricVectorList.add(MetricVectorID, newMetricVector) }

In the pseudocode example above, if the metric vector service receives ametric having a userID for which it has no metric vector identified inthe metric vector service's metric vector table, the metric vectorservice creates a new metric vector having a new metric vector ID forthe user.

In the following pseudo code example, the metric vector services thengets metric vector in dependence upon the metric vector ID and usessetMetric to replace the existing metric or if the same kind of metricdoes not exist in the metric vector object, add one.

-   -   MetricVector        userMetricVector=MetricVectorList.get(MetricVectorID);    -   userMetricVector.setMetric(Metric newMetric);

MetricVector.setMetric(Metric newMetric), in this example, operates byfirst checking whether it possesses in a metric list a reference to thenew metric. If the new metric is not in its list, then setMetric( ) addsthe new metric to its list. If the new metric is of a kind alreadyrepresented in the list, then setMetric( ) replaces the previousreference with the new one, for example, like this: setMetric(MetricnewMetric) { if((Metric aMetric = metricList..get(newMetric.metricID))== null){ metricList.add(newMetric.metricID, newMetric) } elsemetricList.set(aMetric.metricID, newMetric); }

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a metric vector class (606).Objects of the metric vector class represent a complex indication ofuser condition. The metric vector class (606) includes data elements forstoring a user ID (486) identifying the user and a metric list (652) forstoring references to the metric objects. The exemplary metric vectorclass of FIG. 11 includes data elements for storing an action list (492)and a metric range (494). The metric vector class includes membermethods for determining if the metric vector is outside of the usermetric space. The actionList field (492) contains a reference to a listof action objects. The action list is a list of actions to be executedif the metric vector is determined to be outside of the metric space.This exemplary metric vector class is an example of a class that can invarious embodiments be used as a generic class, instances of which canbe used to store or represent more than one type of vector havingidentical or similar member data elements as discussed above.Alternatively in other embodiments, a class such as this example metricvector class can be used as a base class to be extended by concretederived classes each of which can have disparate member data types.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes metric range service class (208).The metric range service class (208) provides member methods thatinstantiate an instance of a metric range class. The metric rangeservice class (208) of FIG. 11 includes a createRangeObject(UserID,MetricID) member method (572). The createRangeObject( ) member method isa factory method parameterized with a userID and a metric ID thatcreates a metric range object in dependence upon the userID and metricID. The createRangeObject( ) factory method returns a reference to themetric range object to the metric object. The createRangeObject( ) is aparameterized factory method that can be implemented using the samedesign patterns outlined by the exemplary psuedocode provided in thedescription of the createMetricObject( ) factory method.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary metric range class(210). An instance of the exemplary metric range class represents apredefined metric range for a user for a metric. A maximum value andminimum value in a metric range object are compared with a metric valueto determine whether the metric value of the metric object is outside ofa predefined metric range. The exemplary metric range class (210) ofFIG. 11 includes range ID field (463) identifying the metric range, anda metric ID field (462) identifying the user metric. The exemplarymetric range class (210) of FIG. 11 includes a user ID field (464)identifying the user. The metric range class also includes a Max field(468) and a Min field (470) containing a maximum value and a minimumvalue defining a metric range. The exemplary metric range class (210) ofFIG. 11 is an example of a so-called data object, that is, a class thatserves only as a container for data, with little or no processing doneon that data by the member methods of the class. In this example,objects of the metric range class are used primarily to transfer amongother objects the minimum and maximum values of a metric range. Themetric range class of FIG. 11 includes a default constructor (notshown), but strictly speaking, would need no other member methods. Ifthe metric range class were provided with no other member methods,cooperating object could access its member data elements directly bycoding, such as, for example: “someMetricRange.max” or“someMetricRange.min.” The particular example in this case (210),however, is illustrated as containing accessor methods (471, 473) forthe minimum and maximum values of its range, a practice not required bythe invention, but consistent with programming in the object orientedparadigm.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a metric space service class(209). The metric space service class (209) includes a member methodcreateMetricSpace( ) that searches a metric space table to identify ametric space for a user. If no such metric space exists,createMetricSpace( ) instantiates one and stores the metric space ID inthe metric space table. Creating a metric space object can beimplemented by way of the following exemplary psuedocode: // extract itsuserID and MetricVector ID as an integer // instantiate a metric spaceobject MetricVector newMetricVector=MetricVectorService.createMetricVectorObject(userID,MetricVectorID);int spaceID = 0; if((spaceID = MetricSpaceList.get(userID,metricvectorID)) == 0) { MetricSpace newMetricSpace =MetricSpaceService.createMetricSpace(userID, MetricVectorID);MetricSpaceID = newMetricSpace.SpaceID; MetricSpaceList.add(SpaceID,newMetricSpace) }

In the pseudo code example above, the metric space service searches ametric space list for a metric space. If the list contains no metricspace for the userID and metric vector ID, thenMetricSpaceService.createMetricSpace(userID, MetricVectorID) creates anew metric space with a new metric space ID.

In the next exemplary segment of pseudocode, the metric space servicesets the metric ranges of the metric space.MetricSpace userMetricSpace=MetricSpaceList.get(spaceID);MetricSpace.setMetricRange(MetricRange newMetricRange);

MetricSpace.setMetricRange(MetricRange newMetricRange), in this example,operates by first checking whether it possesses in a metric space list areference to for a metric range for each metric in the user metricvector. If a metric range is not in its list, then setMetricSpace( )adds the metric range to its list. If the new metric range is for ametric ID already represented in the list, then setMetric( ) replacesthe previous reference with the new one, for example, like this:setMetricRange(MetricRange newRange) { if((MetricRange aMetricRange =metricRangeList..get(newMetricRange.metricID, userID)) == null){metricRangeList.add(newMetricRange.metricID.userID, newMetricRange) }else metricRangeList.set(aMetricRange.metricID.userID, newMetricRange);}

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a metric space class. The usermetric space is comprised of a plurality of user metric ranges fordisparate metrics. The exemplary metric space includes data elements forstoring a user ID (405) identifying the user and a space ID (908)identifying the metric space. The metric space (610) of FIG. 11 alsoincludes data storage (655) for a list of references to disparate metricranges for a user.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 an action service class (217). The actionservice class includes member methods that instantiate an action listfor a metric, instantiate action objects for a metric for a user, storereferences to the action objects in the action list, and return to acalling metric a reference to the action list, all of which can beimplemented as illustrated by the following exemplary pseudocodeActionService class: // // Action Service Class // class ActionService {public static Action createActionList(userID, MetricVectorID) {ActionList anActionList = new ActionList( ); int actionID; // with findsof database action records storing data describing actions for(/* eachaction record matching userID and metric vectorID */) { // obtain actionID from each matching action record actionID = // action ID frommatching database record // reminder: the action constructors belowobtain from a device // service a list of devices administered by theaction object switch(actionID) { case 1: Action anAction1 = newAction1(DeviceService, actionID); anActionList.add(anAction1); break;case 2: Action anAction2 = new Action2(DeviceService, actionID);anActionList.add(anAction2); break; case 3: Action anAction3 = newAction3(DeviceService, actionID); anActionList.add(anAction3); break;case 4: Action anAction4 = new Action4(DeviceService, actionID);anActionList.add(anAction4); break; case 5: Action anAction5 = newAction5(DeviceService, actionID); anActionList.add(anAction5); break; }// end switch( ) } // end for( ) return anActionList; } // endcreateActionListObject( ) } // end class ActionService

The createActionList( ) method in ActionService class instantiates anaction list for a user metric vector with “ActionList anActionList=newActionList( ).” CreateActionList( ) then searches an action record tablein a database for records having user IDs and metric vector IDs matchingits call parameters. For each matching record in the table,createActionList( ) instantiates an action object through its switchstatement. The switch statement selects a particular concrete derivedaction class for each action ID retrieved from the action record table.CreateActionList( ) stores a references to each action object in theaction list with “anActionList.add( ).” CreateActionList( ) returns areference to the action list with “return anActionList.”

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary action class (216).An instance of the action class represents an action that is executed independence upon a determination that an instance of the user metricvector class (606) is outside of an instance of the metric space class(610). The exemplary action class of FIG. 11 includes an action ID field(450). The do_action( ) method (456) in the exemplary action class (216)is programmed to obtain a device list (458) from, for example, a call toDeviceService.createDeviceList( ). Action.do_action( ) (456) typicallythen also is programmed to call interface methods in each device in itsdevice list to carry out the action that the action class is designed tocarry out.

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a device service class (218). Thedevice service class provides a factory method namedcreateDeviceList(actionID) that creates a list of devices and returns areference to the list. In this example, createDeviceList( ) operates ina fashion similar to ActionService.createActionList( ) described above,by instanting a device list, searching through a device table for deviceIDs from device records having matching action ID entries, instantiatinga device object of a concrete derived device class for each, adding tothe device list a reference to each new device object, and returning toa calling action object a reference to the device list. In this example,however, the factory method createDeviceList( ) not only retrieves adevice ID from its supporting data table, but also retrieves a networkaddress or communications location for the physical device to becontrolled by each device object instantiated, as illustrated by thefollowing exemplary pseudocode: // // Device Service Class // classDeviceService { public static Device createDeviceList(actionID) {DeviceList aDeviceList = new DeviceList( ); int deviceID; // with findsof database device records storing data describing devices for(/* eachdevice record matching actionID */) { // obtain device ID and deviceaddress from each matching device record deviceID = // device ID frommatching database record deviceAddress = // device ID from matchingdatabase record // reminder: the device constructors below obtain from adevice // service a list of devices administered by the device objectswitch(deviceID) { case 1: Device aDevice = new Device1(CommsService,deviceAddress, deviceID); break; case 2: Device aDevice = newDevice2(CommsService deviceAddress, deviceID); break; case 3: DeviceaDevice = new Device3(CommsService deviceAddress, deviceID); break; case4: Device aDevice = new Device4(CommsService deviceAddress, deviceID);break; case 5: Device aDevice = new Device5(CommsService deviceAddress,deviceID); break; } // end switch( ) aDeviceList.add(aDevice); } //endfor( ) return aDeviceList; } // end createDeviceListObject( ) } // endclass DeviceService

The createDeviceList( ) method in DeviceService class instantiates adevice list for a metric with “DeviceList aDeviceList=new DeviceList().” CreateDeviceList( ) then searches a device record table in adatabase for records having action IDs matching its call parameter. Foreach matching record in the table, createDeviceList( ) instantiates adevice object through its switch statement, passing three parameters,CommsService, deviceAddress, and deviceID. CommsService is a referenceto a communications service from which a device object can obtain areference to a communications object for use in communicating with thephysical device controlled by a device object. DeviceAddress is thenetwork address, obtained from the device table as described above, ofthe physical device to be controlled by a particular device object. Theswitch statement selects a particular concrete derived device class foreach device ID retrieved from the device table. CreateDeviceList( )stores references to each device object in the device list with“aDeviceList.add( ).” CreateDeviceList( ) returns a reference to thedevice list with “return aDeviceList.”

The class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary device class (214).The exemplary device class (214) of FIG. 11 includes a deviceID field(472) uniquely identifying the physical device to be administered by theexecution of the action. The exemplary device class (214) of FIG. 11includes an address field (480) identifying a location of a physicaldevice on a data communications network. The exemplary device class(214) of FIG. 11 provides a communications field (478) for a referenceto an instance of a communications class that implements a datacommunications protocol to effect communications between an instance ofa device class and a physical device. The device class includes accessormethods (474, 476) for getting and setting attributes of a physicaldevice. An example of a current attribute of a device is an indicationthat the device is “on” or “off.”

The exemplary class diagram of FIG. 11 includes a communications serviceclass (219). The communications service class (219) provides a factorymethod named createCommsObject(deviceID, networkAddress) (574) thatinstantiates a communications object that implements a datacommunications protocol to effect communications between an instance ofa device class and a physical device. The createCommsObject( ) method(574) finds a communications class ID in a communications class recordin a communication class table having a device ID that matches its callparameter. The createCommsObject( ) method (574) then instantiates aparticular concrete derived communications class identified through aswitch statement as described above, passing to the constructor thenetworkAddress from its parameter list, so that the new communicationsobject knows the address on the network to which the new object is toconduct data communications. Each concrete derived communications classis designed to implement data communications according to a particulardata communications protocol, Bluetooth, 802.11b, Lonworks, X-10, and soon.

Class diagram of FIG. 11 includes an exemplary communications base class(215). In typical embodiments, at least one concrete communicationsclass is derived from the base class for each data communicationsprotocol to be supported by a particular DML. Each concretecommunications class implements a particular data communicationsprotocol for communications device objects and physical devices. Eachconcrete communications class implements a particular datacommunications protocol by overriding interface methods (482, 484) toimplement actual data communications according to a protocol.

Communications classes allow device classes (214) to operateindependently with respect to specific protocols required forcommunications with various physical devices. For example, one light ina user's home may communicate using the LonWorks protocol, while anotherlight in the user's home may communicate using the X-10 protocol. Bothlights can be controlled by device objects of the same device classusing communications objects of different communications classes, oneimplementing LonWorks, the other implementing X-10. Both device objectscontrol the lights through calls to the same communications classinterface methods, send( ) (482) and receive( ) (484), neither knowingnor caring that in fact their communications objects use differentprotocols.

FIG. 12 is a class relationship diagram illustrating an exemplaryrelationship among the exemplary classes of FIG. 11. In the classrelationship diagram of FIG. 12, the solid arrows representinstantiation. The solid arrow points from the instantiating class tothe instantiated class. In the class relationship diagram of FIG. 12,the dotted arrows represent references. The arrow points from areferenced class to a class whose objects posses references to thereferenced class. That is, an object-oriented relation of composition, a“has-a” relationship between classes, is shown by an arrow with a dottedline.

The exemplary class relationship diagram of FIG. 12 includes a DML class(202). A DML object of the DML class (202) instantiates an object of themetric service class (204), an object of the metric vector service class(207), and an object of the metric space service class (209). The DMLobject also instantiates an object of the metric range service class(208) and an object of the action service class (217). The DML objectalso instantiates an object of the device service class (218) and anobject of the communications service class (219).

When the DML receives a metric (200) from a metric sensor, the DML usesa call such as:Metric aMetric=MetricService.createMetricObject(userID, metricID,metricValue)causing the metric service (204) to instantiate an object of the metricclass (206). The metric service passes a reference to metric object(206) to metric vector service object (207).

As shown in the class relationship diagram of FIG. 12, a metric vectorservice (207) instantiates an object of the metric vector class (606).In many typical embodiments the metric vector service class receives areference to a metric object and using a parameterized factory method,such as createMetricVectorObject( ), instantiates a metric vectorobject. As shown in the class relationship diagram of FIG. 12, an objectof the metric vector class (606) contains a reference to an object ofthe metric class (206), an object of the metric space service class(209), an object of the metric space class (610), an object of theaction service class (217), and an action list (212).

As shown in the class relationship diagram of FIG. 12, a metric spaceservice (209) instantiates an object of the metric space class (610). Inmany example embodiments, a metric space service uses a parameterizedfactory method, such as createMetricSpace( ), to instantiate a metricspace object. The metric space service passes a reference to the metricspace object (610) to the metric vector object. The metric space object(610) contains a reference to a metric range object (210).

As shown in the class relationship diagram of FIG. 12, the metric rangeservice (208) instantiates an object of the metric range class (210). Inmany examples embodiments of the present invention, as described in moredetail above, the metric range service (208) uses a parameterizedfactory method, such as createRangeObject( ), to instantiate the metricrange (210). The metric range service (208) passes to the metric spaceservice (209) a reference to the metric range (210).

As shown in FIG. 12, an action service (217) instantiates an action listof an action list class (212) and objects of action classes (216). Theaction list (212) is instantiated with references to each of theinstantiated actions (216). Each action (216) is instantiated with areference to the device service (218). In typical examples of methodsaccording to the present invention, the action service (217) uses aparameterized factory method, such as createActionList( ), toinstantiate an action list (212) and instantiate actions (216). Theaction service (217) passes, to the metric vector (606), a reference tothe action list (212).

In the example of FIG. 12, the device service (218) instantiates adevice list of the device list class (222) and instantiates a deviceobject of the device class (214). The device list (222) is instantiatedwith a reference to the device object (214). The device object (214) isinstantiated with a reference to the communications service (219). Intypical examples of methods according to the present invention, thedevice service (218) uses a parameterized factory method, such ascreateDeviceList( ), to instantiate a device list (222) and instantiatea device object (216). The device service (218) passes, to the action(216), a reference to the device list (222)

In the example of FIG. 12, the communications service (219) instantiatesa communications object of the communications class (215). In typicalexamples of the methods according to the present invention, thecommunications service (219) uses a parameterized factory method, suchas createCommsObject( ), to instantiate a communications object (215).The communications service (219) passes, to the device object (214), areference to the communications object (215).

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modificationsand changes may be made in various embodiments of the present inventionwithout departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in thisspecification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to beconstrued in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention islimited only by the language of the following claims.

1. A method for administering devices, the method comprising: creating auser metric vector comprising a plurality of disparate user metrics;creating a user metric space comprising a plurality of metric ranges;determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metricspace; if the user metric vector is outside a user metric space,identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector; andexecuting the action.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein creating a usermetric vector comprises: receiving a plurality of disparate user metricshaving a plurality of metric values and a plurality of disparate metricIDs; and associating the plurality of disparate user metrics with theuser metric vector.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein creating a usermetric space comprises: identifying a plurality of metric ranges for aplurality of disparate metrics; and associating the plurality ofdisparate metric ranges with the user metric space.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein creating a user metric space comprises editing a metricrange.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein editing a metric range includesreceiving an editing instruction from a user.
 6. The method of claim 1wherein determining whether the user metric vector is outside a usermetric space comprises comparing the metric values of the user metricvector with the metric ranges of the metric space.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 wherein comparing the metric values of the user metric vectorwith the metric ranges of the metric space comprises measuring a degreeto which a value of the user metric is outside a metric range.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 wherein comparing the metric values of the user metricvector with the metric ranges of the metric space comprises identifyingwhether a value of the user metric is above a metric range or below ametric range.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether theuser metric vector is outside a user metric space comprises calculatinga metric vector value.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein determiningwhether the user metric vector is outside a user metric space comprisescalculating a metric space value and comparing the metric vector valueand the metric space value.
 11. The method of claim 1 whereinidentifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector includesretrieving an action ID from an action list.
 12. The method of claim 1wherein executing an action includes identifying a device classrepresenting the device.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein executing anaction includes identifying a communication class for the device.
 14. Asystem for administering devices, the system comprising: means forcreating a user metric vector comprising a plurality of disparate usermetrics; means for creating a user metric space comprising a pluralityof metric ranges; means for determining whether the user metric vectoris outside the user metric space; if the user metric vector is outside auser metric space, means for identifying an action in dependence uponthe user metric vector; and means for executing the action.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14 wherein means for creating a user metric vectorcomprises: means for receiving a plurality of disparate user metricshaving a plurality of metric values and a plurality of disparate metricIDs; and means for associating the plurality of disparate user metricswith the user metric vector.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein meansfor creating a user metric space comprises: means for identifying aplurality of metric ranges for a plurality of disparate metrics; andmeans for associating the plurality of disparate metric ranges with theuser metric space.
 17. The system of claim 14 wherein means for creatinga user metric space comprises means for editing a metric range.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein means for editing a metric range includesmeans for receiving an editing instruction from a user.
 19. The systemof claim 14 wherein means for determining whether the user metric vectoris outside a user metric space comprises means for comparing the metricvalues of the user metric vector with the metric ranges of the metricspace.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein means for comparing the metricvalues of the user metric vector with the metric ranges of the metricspace comprises means for measuring a degree to which a value of theuser metric is outside a metric range.
 21. The system of claim 19wherein means for comparing the metric values of the user metric vectorwith the metric ranges of the metric space comprises means foridentifying whether a value of the user metric is above a metric rangeor below a metric range.
 22. The system of claim 14 wherein means fordetermining whether the user metric vector is outside a user metricspace comprises means for calculating a metric vector value.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22 wherein means for determining whether the user metricvector is outside a user metric space comprises means for calculating ametric space value and means for comparing the metric vector value andthe metric space value.
 24. The system of claim 14 wherein means foridentifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector includesmeans for retrieving an action ID from an action list.
 25. The system ofclaim 14 wherein means for executing an action includes means foridentifying a device class representing the device.
 26. The system ofclaim 25 wherein means for executing an action includes means foridentifying a communication class for the device.
 27. A computer programproduct for administering devices, the computer program productcomprising: a recording medium; means, recorded on the recording medium,for creating a user metric vector comprising a plurality of disparateuser metrics; means, recorded on the recording medium, for creating auser metric space comprising a plurality of metric ranges; means,recorded on the recording medium, for determining whether the usermetric vector is outside the user metric space; if the user metricvector is outside a user metric space, means, recorded on the recordingmedium, for identifying an action in dependence upon the user metricvector; and means, recorded on the recording medium, for executing theaction.
 28. The computer program product of claim 27 wherein means,recorded on the recording medium, for creating a user metric vectorcomprises: means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving aplurality of disparate user metrics having a plurality of metric valuesand a plurality of disparate metric IDs; and means, recorded on therecording medium, for associating the plurality of disparate usermetrics with the user metric vector.
 29. The computer program product ofclaim 27 wherein means, recorded on the recording medium, for creating auser metric space comprises: means, recorded on the recording medium,for identifying a plurality of metric ranges for a plurality ofdisparate metrics; and means, recorded on the recording medium, forassociating the plurality of disparate metric ranges with the usermetric space.
 30. The computer program product of claim 27 whereinmeans, recorded on the recording medium, for creating a user metricspace comprises means, recorded on the recording medium, for editing ametric range.
 31. The computer program product of claim 30 whereinmeans, recorded on the recording medium, for editing a metric rangeincludes means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving anediting instruction from a user.
 32. The computer program product ofclaim 27 wherein means, recorded on the recording medium, fordetermining whether the user metric vector is outside a user metricspace comprises means, recorded on the recording medium, for comparingthe metric values of the user metric vector with the metric ranges ofthe metric space.
 33. The computer program product of claim 32 whereinmeans, recorded on the recording medium, for comparing the metric valuesof the user metric vector with the metric ranges of the metric spacecomprises means, recorded on the recording medium, for measuring adegree to which a value of the user metric is outside a metric range.34. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein means, recorded onthe recording medium, for comparing the metric values of the user metricvector with the metric ranges of the metric space comprises means,recorded on the recording medium, for identifying whether a value of theuser metric is above a metric range or below a metric range.
 35. Thecomputer program product of claim 27 wherein means, recorded on therecording medium, for determining whether the user metric vector isoutside a user metric space comprises means, recorded on the recordingmedium, for calculating a metric vector value.
 36. The computer programproduct of claim 35 wherein means, recorded on the recording medium, fordetermining whether the user metric vector is outside a user metricspace comprises means, recorded on the recording medium, for calculatinga metric space value and means, recorded on the recording medium, forcomparing the metric vector value and the metric space value.
 37. Thecomputer program product of claim 27 wherein means, recorded on therecording medium, for identifying an action in dependence upon the usermetric vector includes means, recorded on the recording medium, forretrieving an action ID from an action list.
 38. The computer programproduct of claim 27 wherein means, recorded on the recording medium, forexecuting an action includes means, recorded on the recording medium,for identifying a device class representing the device.
 39. The computerprogram product of claim 38 wherein means, recorded on the recordingmedium, for executing an action includes means, recorded on therecording medium, for identifying a communication class for the device.